In the fall of 2008, we asked you to pray for our good friend Marty Waite, who was in the fourth and final stage of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a life-threatening ailment which greatly limits lung capacity.

Doctors say the disease is incurable and the best he can hope for is to maintain his present situation with medication, which is very expensive. Marty, who also has asthma, was ordered to stop working immediately at the time, and that, combined with the costly treatment of the disease, put him in a very precarious economic situation.

Marty has a wife, two grown children and a grandchild. The good news is that a year and a half later he is still alive. The bad news is that he suffered a heart attack this past Friday. His wife, Carrie, sent us this update:

At around 3 p.m. Saturday, Marty had surgery and had two stents put in his heart. There are three major arteries in the heart, two of his were blocked 95 percent. Those are the two arteries that received the stents. His third artery is blocked 30-40 percent, and the cardiologist feels that this blockage can be resolved with medication.

Marty is resting somewhat comfortably but is still in a great deal of pain, confusion, fear and bewilderment. We will get through this like we do all obstacles in our lives -- together, and with all of your love and support. The Good Lord kept this man here for a reason. The doctors say that at age 49, his heart is that of an 80-year-old man. As we journey down this long path to recovery, we will always be thankful for the love and support from our friends and family.

Carrie

Please pray for Marty and Carrie. They have been through so much, and they have faced it with great courage and faith. If you'd to encourage Carrie, her email address is missotisre@gmail.com. If you'd like to write to Marty, you can be reached at: